Indian customs did not allow a single truck to enter Bangladesh even after promising despite keeping the onions truck stuck for 6 days. However, 84 metric tons of Hilsa has entered India in 15 trucks.
Hilsa entered India through Benapole port on Saturday (September 19).
It is learned that many importers have taken their onion trucks out of Petrapole port and sold them in the open market to reduce the losses. Someone has taken Bhomra and Healy ports there again. Most of the onions stuck in the intense heat are going to be almost unfit for consumption.
Meanwhile, onion import through Benapole port has become uncertain and prices have not come down in the port area yet. Onions are being sold at Taka 60 per kg in the wholesale market and at Taka 70 in the retail market.
Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Import-Export Association, said Indian customs have violated the trade agreement by blocking the shipment of purchased onions. Many traders will lose their capital due to the damage done to the business. In order to prevent such behavior in the future, the two countries need to discuss in the business meeting.
Akshir Ullin Mollah, Revenue officer of Benapole Customs Cargo Branch, said they did not see any truck carrying onions to enter even though other goods entered on Saturday. When the truck enters, the customs is ready to accept it.
Aswadul Alam, an inspector at the Benapole Port Fisheries and Quality Control Office, said 300 metric tonnes of Hilsa worth Taka 26,15,520 have entered India through the Benapole port in the last six days on the occasion of Puja with special permission.
It is learned that the Bangladesh government promised to give 1450 metric tonnes of Hilsa to India on the occasion of Puja to strengthen trade and friendship despite the ban on export. The first shipment of 48 metric tons of Hilsa to India on September 14 was the day the onion export to Bangladesh was stopped. On September 29 last year, the day India was given 500 metric tons of Hilsa, they stopped exporting onions to Bangladesh for the same reason.